NOTE: The Book of Mark is perceived by many Bible scholars to be the first book written of the New Testament books. They feel that Luke and Matthew followed, reflecting on what Mark wrote. Luke, possibly of non-Jewish heritage, but a Gentile doctor, and Matthew, a Jew who wrote to the Jews of his time, were possibly written after the Book of Mark. We are NOT going to argue for an alternative sequence of New Testament books. All the New Testament books were written; inspired by God through the Holy Spirit to be read. One thing is certain, the New Testament was written AFTER Christ’s birth, life, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension to heaven. The early church, not having the New Testament, relied mostly on the book of Isaiah.

The Book of Mark is filled with parables. We know many of them by attending church, but, depth perception comes from listening to these sermons. Listening to understand is why Jesus used parables. Intense listening helps with understanding. One can hear without grasping the meaning of a parable. Some of Jesus’ parables cover more than the obvious. We will offer some of the “between the lines” meanings, implications, and understandings in our series on the Book of Mark. One may be amazed with what is there.

Mark begins his New Testament gospel by identifying Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus had already been crucified and returned to heaven some 30 to 35 years earlier. It was somewhere between 55 and 65 A.D.

GOD is… (Genesis 1:26)
Father – Jesus – Holy Spirit

NOTE: This verse does NOT use the plural (Images). It is singular – Image. This is an example of how we are made in the three-part image of God… BODY, MIND, & SOUL.

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our image; …”

Mankind is… (Genesis 1:26)
Mind – Body– Spirit (soul)

During this time, the Romans tended to associate this new religion of Christianity as an offshoot of Judaism. They treated Christians with the same distain as the Jews (Israelites).

Mark writes in verses 4-11 of the calling of John the Baptist and then his baptism of Jesus.  Mark then follows with the temptations of Jesus in the Wilderness by none other than Satan. Here follows something rarely addressed… verses 29 to 30:

Mark 1:29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of *Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 

Mark 1:30  Now *Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him (Jesus) about her. *Simon is Simon Peter. This means Peter was in fact married.

Mark 1:31  And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 

Yes… Ahamoment: Jesus healed Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. Peter was married to her daughter.

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2024